Despite all Irish keeper Michael McGovern's heroics at Hampden Park the Irish have now failed to win a friendly in 22 attempts, including 17 defeats.

They had McGovern to thank for stopping them falling behind in only the fourth minute last night when he saved smartly from Steven Fletcher's fierce strike.

It was McGovern to the rescue again five minutes later when he got down low to tip away a shot from lively Watford wing-back Ikechi Anya.

And in the the 45th minute Fletcher burst through the Irish defence again but the keeper knocked his shot away one-handed.

McGovern was at it again after the break, denying Steven Naismith and Matt Ritchie but he was powerless to stop Berra's late header from Ritchie's fizzing cross.

The reality is that this was just a warm up for their respective Euro 16 Sunday qualifiers against Gibralter and Finland, when both countries could top their groups if results go their way.

World champions Germany, who are second behind Poland in Group D alongside Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, suffered a shock in Kaiserslautern when they were had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Australia.

Marco Reus fired Germany ahead but James Roisi and Crystal Palace captain Mil Jedinak rocked them either side of half-time before Lukas Podolski rescued the draw.